Project overview
WSDOT, Sound Transit, and design-build contractor Graham Contracting, Ltd. are working to reconstruct and improve the I-405/Northeast 85th Street interchange. This project design supports Sound Transit's Stride Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), improves transit connections on Northeast 85th Street, and provides direct access to the I-405 Express Toll Lanes (ETLs).
With the City of Kirkland’s support, WSDOT and Sound Transit chose Northeast 85th Street for this project because it is a main connection between Downtown Kirkland, Redmond, and I-405. Working together, WSDOT, the City of Kirkland, and Sound Transit developed this project to improve accessibility for transit riders along the I-405 corridor and throughout the region and improve mobility and people who walk, bike, or roll.
The current interchange has two levels: the bottom level for local traffic on Northeast 85th Street and the top level for freeway traffic on I-405.
Project improvements along the lower level include local road improvements along Northeast 85th Street and its intersection with 114th Avenue Northeast/Kirkland Way.
The newly constructed middle level of the interchange is a multimodal hub. The hub will improve access and save time for transit riders, carpoolers, ETL users, and people who walk, bike, or roll. Transit riders will benefit from a new BRT station in the median of the northbound and southbound lanes, with connections to local bus stops. Pedestrians and cyclists will have wider sidewalks and better connections to BRT and the regional transit network. Carpoolers and ETL users will have direct-access ramps to the ETL system on I-405.
The project will also include fish barrier corrections, noise walls, and new stormwater facilities.
Once finished, this project will offer safer, more reliable transportation options for Kirkland residents, neighbors, and commuters – no matter how they get around.
What to expect
For the most up-to-date information about travel impacts, check out our real-time travel map. We also encourage people to stay informed by subscribing to our email updates or calling our construction hotline with questions, concerns or for more information at 425-224-2423.
Important traffic changes to the I-405 and Northeast 85th Street interchange
During the weekend closure of Northeast 85th Street at the end of January, crews demolished two off-ramp bridges and installed new temporary signals to allow northbound drivers to go westbound and southbound drivers to go eastbound. All drivers entering and exiting I-405 now use the temporary signals instead of the loop ramps and ramp bridges.
The temporary signals help reduce weaving on Northeast 85th Street, making the area safer during construction. Using long-term temporary signals also gives crews enough space to complete construction activities safely. These will be in place until the new roundabouts are installed in 2026.
Additional upcoming I-405 ramp and lane closures
Highway lane closures:
Friday, Nov. 22 to the morning of Monday, Nov. 25: Three lanes of southbound I-405 from Northeast 124th Street (20.0) to Northeast 70th Place (17.0) will be closed nightly, from 10:30 p.m. – 6:30 a.m.
Highway ramp closures:
None planned.
Local street closures:
Monday, Nov. 18 to the morning of Saturday, Nov. 23: The eastbound lanes of Northeast 85th Street from the southbound on-ramp to the northbound off-ramp will be closed nightly, from 9:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.
Monday, Nov. 18 to the morning of Saturday, Nov. 23: The westbound lanes of Northeast 85th Street from the northbound on-ramp to the southbound off-ramp will be closed nightly, from 9:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.
Friday, Nov. 22 to the morning of Monday, Nov. 25: Northeast 85th Street will be closed between 114th Avenue Northeast and 120th Avenue Northeast from 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Upcoming nightwork
Week of Nov. 17 – Nov. 23
Monday, Nov. 17 to the morning of Saturday, Nov. 23 from 8:00 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.: Crews will complete bridge work on Northeast 85th Street nightly.
The project will replace the existing two-level interchange at Northeast 85th Street with a three-level interchange and construct local improvements along Northeast 85th Street and its intersection with 114th Avenue Northeast/Kirkland Way.
